Improvement in trunk-catches



C. H. NYE. Trunk-Catch.

Patented April 1, 1879.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. NYE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HERMAN WRONKOW, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRUNK-CATCHES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,927, dated April 1, 1879; application led January 27, 1879.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OHARLns H. NYE, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Catches for Trunks, Boxes, &c., of which the following is a specieation:

The object of my invention is to produce a strong and durable spring-catch for trunks, boxes, &c., which shall project very little from the trunk or box upon which it is used, and which is so constructed that garments may not readily catch thereon and be torn.

To this end myinvention consists in a sprin goatch provided with a pivoted latch, so constructed that its pivot shall be relieved of severe stra-in while in use, the said latch being so formed that when turned down it shall hang close against the side of the trunk or box upon which the catch is used.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents acentral vertical section of a springcatch embodying my improvements, and Fig. 2 a perspective view thereof.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in both figures.

A designates the body of the frame of the catch, preferably formed of sheet metal, and provided with holes a, for the reception of screws or nails, whereby it may bev secured to a trunk or box. It is shown as provided with guides b, formed of sheet metal, and secured to the body Aby riveting or otherwise. B designates a plate or hasp, provided with holes b for the reception of screws or nails, whereby it may be attached to the lid of a trunk or box. It is also preferably made of sheet metal, and adapted to slide in the guides b.

Upon its front is a projecting lug, C, shown as ot' rectangular form.

D designates a latch, preferably also formed of sheet metal, and pivoted to the frame by a pin, c. The latch is provided with an opening, d, corresponding to the projecting lug C in size and shape, and through which the said lug projects, as shown in Fig. l, whereby the plate or hasp B and the lid to which it is attached are securely fastened. In order to prevent undue strain from coming upon the pin c, I form the latch D with an offset or projection, E, upon its inner face, which projects through an opening, F, in the bod;T A of the frame. The upper edge, e, of the said offset or projection impinges against the edge of the frame on the upper side, f, of said opening, and resists any attempt to open the trunk or box without great strain coming on the pin c.

Y To still further hold the latch against upward displacement, the frame A is provided with projections g, against which the upper edge of said latch impinges.

A flat spring, G, is shown as secured to the bottom cross-bar, h, of the frame, and impinging against the lower part of the latch D, to hold it in engagement with the plate or hasp B. This spring is so constructed (see particularly Fig. 2) that when the catch is secured to a trunk or box the spring will impin ge against the same, and be forced inward, thus increasing its tension.

In forming the offset or projection E, a corresponding depression is formed on the outer face of said latch, which, when the latch is turned down, rests over the lower cross-bar, h, (see particularly Fig. 1,) and projects very little beyond the face of the trunk or box.

By my invention I produce a spring-catch which, as it may all be formed of sheet metal, may be made very cheaply, which, as undue strain does not come upon the pin forming the pivot of the latch, is very strong and durable, and which projects so little from the side of the trunk or box that the garments of ladies are not liable to catch thereon and be torn.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A spring-catch for a trunk or box, comprisin g the combination of a plate or hasp, B, provided upon its outer face with a project-ing lug, O, a spring-latch, D, provided with an opening for the reception of the said project ing lug, and having an offset or projection, E, upon its inner face, and aframe to which said latch is pivoted, provided with a shoulder against which the otfset or projection on the spring-latch impin ges, substantially as herein specin'ed.

2. A spring-catch for a trunk or box, comprising, the combination of a skeleton or open frame, A, a spring-latch, D, pivoted, thereto,

platte or lnisp l, with its projectinglng C, the pirated latch l), with its opening d and ofi'- sct or prQicctinn E, and the spring substantially :is und for the purpose specified.

CHARLES 1I. NYE. \\itn0sses:

Hmm' T. BROWN, T. J. KEANE. 

